What's the point of the Handbook?

You are not alone, Dolphin, and the specific points you raised have been discussed several times since the launch of the book. Finding those discussions could well be a tricky task. 

There was a discussion about lack of map references here referring to CL's. I think there were replies from Site Admin giving the reasons but also saying they were keeping an eye on the situation and may reconsider if enough people mention it. Likewise the subject of pricing has also been discussed. I lean towards the idea that prices should be left out of the main Site Directory because we only get the directory every two years so for half that period the prices are out of date anyway! The prices only represent the minimum cost of a site for one person and a pitch. Some say it would be more useful if it was for two people but then families might have a different view point? That's why they should perhaps be left out altogether?

The question of whether the Site Directory is on the way out, well who knows. We certainly use ours a lot less than we did as its easier to use online resources. I don't suppose it will be phased out any time soon but you could imagine a time when everything moves online.

David

I don't know where my handbook is 

Can you get a replacement from the RSPCA

they only have cat-alouge's at the moment 

I use my book all the time mainly because searching on the website is infuriating. As far as David K's comment about the book being out of date after a year there is a supplement you can order for the following year.

The book must also be a source of revenue. especially in the commercial section.

As far as the new nightly fees go, after many complaints, I have yet to see an explanation why from HQ

Initially I use mine as a quick reference for site locations , then I found it useful in many different ways.... 

#1 To whack the great grand kids if they are naughty. 

#2 use as a mug coaster. 

#3 use as a throw fetch toy for the dog. 

Perhaps one  day I'll write a book on this extremely useful item..... thank you 

Caravan & motorhome club for supplying this to every member. 

Ps... I'm a very lucky camper... I have several now. 

Our handbooks, for both clubs, live in the van. The only time we ever look at either of them is for checking the final approach to sites and to augment the sat nav. Everything else is done from home on the PC. 

Harryb I have to agree with you, the website is not always the best when searching, especially for cl sites, especially using the map search. And that's assuming you can get online when away on a trip.

David, at least when prices were displayed we can get a general idea of price, as some sites eg. with fewer facilities are much cheaper, and many offer special prices. This really is not clear looking at the latest Handbook.

We find the handbook useful and far quicker than the internet if you need to search. We have never used the map references so not sure how useful they are but certainly the cost information is not very useful but as there are numerous combinations of people in their units and seasonal changes, nothing works for us all. Possibly simply dividing the sites into low, medium and high cost sites or something similar is the best way forward as that gives us all abetter idea of what to expect.